Water main break closes Parker High School

Parker High School in Janesville sent students home on Wednesday morning because of a water main break.

JANESVILLE—Parker High School sent students home early Wednesday morning because of a water main break outside the school.

Kevin Leavy, public information specialist for the district, said students were dismissed at 9:30 a.m. He said Janesville Transit Service had buses at Parker to transport students as a result of the early dismissal.

Students who needed rides were able to wait in the school's commons until 10:30 a.m.

Tokens were issued to students who needed transportation home. Students were able to access phones to make arrangements for pick-up if needed.

School will resume Thursday with students following the planned exam schedule, Leavy said. Wednesday's postponed exam schedule will be administered Monday.

Parents were notified of the water main break via the Alert Now system and various social media outlets.

The main was discovered after a resident near the school called to report water in his garage said Mike Fosmoen, foreman at the Janesville Water Department.

"It was the line that feeds Parker High School and is a private line," Fosmoen said.

Fosmoen said the break was related to extreme cold and had to be shut down to prevent further damage.